Man accused in fatal Lombard fire pleads not guilty

The man accused of setting a fire that killed a young Lombard mother and seriously injured her friend pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and arson charges.

Todd Mandoline, 23, of Villa Park, appeared Monday in DuPage County court, where he is charged with the murder of Paula Morgan, 24.

He is facing nine counts of first-degree murder, aggravated arson and arson, and could face up to natural life in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

Judge John Kinsella ordered Mandoline to remain in the county jail, where he is being held in lieu of bond.

Mandoline attorney Brian Telander said after the hearing that he would meet with Mandoline's parents to see whether they had the financial resources that would make it worthwhile to ask the judge for a bond hearing.

Morgan died July 22 at her residence in the 1000 block of South Ahrens Avenue in a fire that authorities say Mandoline started when he set Morgan's car ablaze in her driveway. The flames spread from the car to the house.

Police said that earlier that night Mandoline had been at the residence, among a group gathered to celebrate Morgan's birthday. He and the victim previously had dated, police said, but he had been asked to leave the party and was driven back to his house.

Police say he walked back to Morgan's and spent several hours outside texting her before he became enraged and started the fire.

Her 6-year-old son escaped without injury, but a friend of Morgan's named Jason Cassidy was badly burned. He remains hospitalized in very serious condition, Assistant State's Attorney David Bayer said.

"It looks like he's going to survive, but he's got a long road to go," Bayer said.